Türkiye’s long-standing ambition to join the European Union (EU) may finally see a new ray of hope under Hungary’s presidency. The European country has recently taken over the six-month rotating presidency of the EU, and it is believed that this may lead to a positive turn in Türkiye’s lukewarm relations with the EU.
For decades, Türkiye has been striving to become a part of the EU, hoping to benefit from its economic and political integration. However, the country has faced several obstacles along the way, including disputes over human rights, democracy, and the Cyprus issue. These issues have hindered Türkiye’s progress towards EU membership, leading to strained relations between the two parties.
But now, with Hungary at the helm of the EU, there is a glimmer of hope for Türkiye. Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has been a strong supporter of Türkiye’s EU membership and has expressed his desire to improve the country’s relations with the EU. Orbán has also been a vocal critic of the EU’s approach towards Türkiye and has called for a more constructive and inclusive approach.
Under Hungary’s presidency, the EU has shown signs of being open to a possible revival of Türkiye’s membership negotiations. This was evident in the recent visit of the European Council President, Charles Michel, to Türkiye. During his visit, Michel emphasized the importance of keeping the dialogue open between the EU and Türkiye and finding common ground to address the issues that have hindered Türkiye’s progress towards EU membership.
The visit of Michel was followed by the announcement of a new EU strategy towards Türkiye, which aims to strengthen the relationship between the two parties and support Türkiye’s efforts towards political and economic reforms. The strategy also outlines a more pragmatic approach towards Türkiye, recognizing the country’s strategic importance as a candidate for EU membership.
Moreover, Hungary has also shown a willingness to push for the modernization of the EU’s customs union with Türkiye. This would not only benefit Türkiye’s economy but also pave the way for further cooperation and integration with the EU. The modernization of the customs union would also be a significant step towards fulfilling the EU’s promise of a visa-free regime for Türkiye, which has been a longstanding demand of the country.
The positive developments under Hungary’s presidency have raised hopes and expectations in Türkiye. The country has shown its commitment to continue its EU accession process and has made significant progress in meeting the EU’s political criteria. Türkiye has also undertaken various reforms and demonstrated its determination to align with EU standards.
One of the key factors that have contributed to the recent progress is the EU’s recognition of Türkiye’s role in tackling the refugee crisis. Türkiye has been a crucial partner for the EU in managing the influx of refugees and has played a significant role in maintaining stability in the region. This has been acknowledged by the EU, and there have been talks of providing additional financial support to Türkiye for its efforts in hosting millions of refugees.
In addition to political and economic integration, Türkiye also shares strong cultural and historical ties with many EU member states. These ties can serve as a bridge between Türkiye and the EU, promoting better understanding and cooperation between the two parties.
However, it is essential to acknowledge that there are still challenges ahead in Türkiye’s journey towards EU membership. The country needs to continue its efforts towards improving democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. It also needs to address the ongoing disputes with Greece and Cyprus, which have been major obstacles in its accession talks.
Nevertheless, under Hungary’s presidency, Türkiye’s relations with the EU have taken a positive turn. The EU’s new strategy and willingness to support Türkiye’s efforts towards EU membership have provided renewed hope for the country. Türkiye remains committed to its goal of becoming a member of the EU, and with the support of its European partners, this dream may finally become a reality.
In conclusion, with Hungary’s presidency at the helm of the EU, there is a new opportunity for Türkiye to strengthen its ties with the European Union. The positive developments and initiatives taken by Hungary have laid a solid foundation for Türkiye’s accession process. It is now up to both parties to continue the dialogue and work towards a mutually beneficial relationship that will benefit both Türkiye and the EU.
